Neighbors Remember Slain Jeweler

WHEELING — Vinod C. Mehta went door-to-door over the holidays with treats and friendly greetings for residents in his upscale Wheeling neighborhood.

On Thursday, Mehta's neighbors said they were shocked to learn that someone had gunned down the 58-year-old man only steps from his front door.

"He liked to come over and bring us little treats for the holidays," said Diane Kroeckel, who lives across from Mehta and his family.

Wheeling police said robbery does not appear to be a motive in Wednesday's slaying of Mehta, a wholesale jeweler who operated his business out of his home.

Mehta's body was found about 5 p.m. Wednesday, face down in the apron of his driveway at 1000 Honeysuckle Drive. He died of a single gunshot wound to the chest, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Deputy Police Chief Michael Hermes said police are trying to account for Mehta's time before the shooting.

He had arrived home shortly before 5 p.m. and was walking up the driveway when a vehicle stopped in the street in front of his house, police said.

Mehta walked to the vehicle, which had a driver and a passenger in the back seat, and was leaning inside the rear passenger door when he was shot, said Wheeling Deputy Chief Michael Hermes.

The vehicle was described as a late-1980s or early-1990s gray, four-door sedan, possibly a Chevrolet Lumina, according to police.

Mehta is the second jeweler in Wheeling to die violently in the last five months. In August, Emil Risenzon, a Russian refugee, was beaten to death at his jewelry and repair shop at 251 E. Dundee Rd. Three men have been charged.

On Thursday, Hermes said there is no connection between the two slayings. There is no evidence that anything was stolen from Mehta or from his home, Hermes said.

Police had few details about Mehta's business or his personal life except that he is an East Indian immigrant who worked out of his home.